Boating Holidays in Ireland
Ireland’s Welcoming Waterways
Ireland’s Welcoming Waterways
Located on th edge of Western Europe, Ireland is renowned as one of Europe’s firts destinations for boating holidays.
With lush green countryside, silvery rivers, rich heritage and a warm welcome, Ireland offers a unique experience for your next boating holidays in Ireland.
Ireland is crossed by the mighty River Shannon, Ireland’s longest river.
Ireland offers some 700 km of lakes, canals and rivers, and many opportunities for boating holidays, fishing and water sports, as well as over 5000 years of history and a rich and diverse flora and fauna.
Come and explore the Ireland’s waterways on a boating holiday in Ireland and discover their secrets in a whole new way. If you are looking for a boating holiday in Ireland, this could be the place for you !
UPPER
SHANNON
LOWER SHANNON
& LOUGH DERG
The Lower Shannon lazes through undulating lush countryside that is steeped in history as well as real Irish character. Life slows down along this stretch of the Shannon and boats pass less frequently – the noise of nature takes over once more.
ERNE RIVER
& LOUGH ERNE
The jewel in the crown of Co. Fermanagh. In the North west of the island of Ireland lies an interconnecting network of loughs, rivers and backwaters that would take a lifetime to explore.
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DISCOVER IRELAND
Shannon & Erne Waterways
On your boating holidays in Ireland, discover Ireland’s hidden Hearthlands aboard a Carrickcraft cruise ship. You’ll captain your own cruise ship as you meander slowly along the many rivers, lakes and canals, admiring the spectacular scenery, history and heritage and meeting the friendly locals.
Boating Holidays in Ireland
Boating Holidays in Ireland
The River Shannon is the longest river in the British Isles and runs down the middle of Ireland through flat farmland towards the sea at Limerick. And as the land is so flat, the river only falls 65 feet on the navigable section, so it is a wide, slow river, ideal for a calm and tranquil boating holiday in Ireland.
The Shannon used to be a semi-commercial waterway with Guinness barges sailing up from Dublin on the Grand Canal and then along the Shannon. Todays, however, there’s no commercial traffic; only pleasure boaters enjoy the wide open spaces on their boating holidays in Ireland. Even the land is quiet: the County Leitrim, at the northern end of the Shannon, has a population density of less than 20 people per square km.
The River Erne flows north from Belturbet to Belleek, so the Upper Lough is the Lower Lough and the Lower Lough is the Upper Lough (on a map!). It is very quiet and remote, so if you are on a boat you could be all alone on an island jetty in the middle of nowhere.
Irish Culture
Irish Culture
What is it that makes a boating Holiday in Ireland such a great holiday choice? Is it that legendary Irish hospitality and the “craic” in the pubs and bars. Or the stunning scenery, great food, easy access, friendly locals and everything else that you want when you are relaxing on holiday? Of course, it is all of this and so much more.
Ireland’s landscape causes jaws to drop. But what picks them up again, and gets them gabbing till all hours, are Ireland’s people. The people of Ireland love to travel, to learn about the world. Our diaspora, whether they left by choice or necessity, number some 70 million. But we love coming home, too – to our native cities, countryside and kitchens.
We love spending time with our families, enjoy a gossip around the kitchen table and chat to anyone who’ll listen to us. It’s no secret that there’s a creative side to the Irish personality. Think the Book of Kells and the Expressionist painter Jack B Yeats (brother of the poet, WB). Think ancient sagas and legends like An Táin and the Children of Lir to writers such as James Joyce, CS Lewis and Seamus Heaney. Think actors like Maureen O’Hara to Liam Neeson and Saoirse Ronan.
Irish Arts
Irish Arts
Yes, art has always coursed through our veins. The beauty of this creative spark, however, is that it doesn’t just belong to Bono, Enya and Snow Patrol. On your boating holidays in Ireland, you’ll find arts festivals and craftspeople in the smallest of towns, breathing new life into old mills and milk parlours in every corner of the countryside.
And music? Well, there’s always music, be it U2, Enya, Van Morrison or Snow Patrol, or trad sessions in cosy country pubs. Don’t hesitate to take a break during your boating holidays in Ireland to discover these songs, this music and the festive atmosphere of the pubs.
But above all, we love to laugh. We love the mischief, the devilry, the witty riposte in pubs, the sarcasm of Patrick Kielty or Dara O’Brian. You’ll find that in Ireland, we don’t take ourselves too seriously.
History and Heritage
History and Heritage
As you cruise along the Waterways of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands on your boating holidays in Ireland, 5,000 years of history flashes before your eyes. You will find numerous fascinating sites of historic interest right on the river or just a short walk from the moorings. To provide protection from invaders, many of the fortifications were built on islands or close to rivers, so with a cruiser, you have access to many sites only accessible by boat.
From the 6th century carved figures on White Island in Lough Erne to the many round towers and medieval ruins all along the Shannon, you will be amazed at how the country’s traditional culture has been preserved in modern day Ireland. Particular attention should also be paid to the many locks and bridges which have historic interest on your boating holidays in Ireland, such as Meelick Lock and the magnificent 16 arch bridge at Shannonbridge.
Even the harbours themselves tell us much about bygone days, for example the historic Richmond Harbour at the entrance to the Royal Canal. Many of the sites have excellent visitor centres or museums where you can discover more about the site and its past. Only a few types of holiday offer such unrivalled access to unique history and heritage as boating holidays in Ireland.
Ireland’s Weather
Ireland's Weather
Not too hot and not too cold, Ireland’s climate is perfect for boating holidays.
In Ireland, we all talk about the weather. Whether it’s discussing the direction of the rain from a shop doorway, or musing that it’s 24 degrees in March with a Lock Keeper. Irish weather can be unpredictable, so we like to discuss it. A lot.
Ireland’s climate is influenced mostly by the Atlantic Ocean. As a result, it doesn’t have the extreme temperatures that other countries at similar latitude would have. The average temperature is a mild 10°C.
Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle because it is so green, but of course that’s because it rains quite a lot! If you plan for some rain on your holiday, you will be well prepared (it has been said that there is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing).
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2025 Early Booking Discount
15% Early Booking Discount
Discount on all 2025 Bookings
15% Discount
Valid until 30th November 2024
Midweek Special
and get 4 nights for the price of 3
Available All Season
Extra Night Free
Available on selected boats
10 nights for the price of 7
Available in April, May, Sept and Oct
10 for 7
Clare, Kilkenny, Wave Princess, Carlow
2025 Early Booking Discount
15% Early Booking Discount
Discount on all 2025 Bookings
15% Discount
Valid until 30th November 2024
Midweek Special
and get 4 nights for the price of 3
Available All Season
Extra Night Free
Available on selected boats
10 nights for the price of 7
Available in April, May, Sept and Oct
10 for 7
Clare, Kilkenny, Wave Princess, Carlow
When you hire a boat from Carrickcraft, you will benefit from the advice of experts who are passionate about boating and who will do their utmost to ensure you have a great holiday.
NO LICENCEREQUIRED
ACROSS
3 MARINAS
YEARS
EXPERIENCE
